MANILA, Philippine: President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines emphasized on Monday that Manila would refrain from retaliating with “offensive” measures in response to China’s deployment of water cannon against Philippine vessels in the disputed South China Sea.
Despite recent confrontations where China Coast Guard vessels allegedly damaged Philippine boats with high-pressure water cannon, Marcos asserted that the Philippines would not escalate tensions by adopting similar tactics.
Marcos reiterated that the mission of the Philippine navy and coast guard is not to provoke or exacerbate tensions but to ensure maritime security and sovereignty.
Highlighting the Philippines’ commitment to diplomatic solutions, Marcos stated that Manila would continue diplomatic channels and seek international condemnation of China’s behavior.
In a recent diplomatic move, Manila summoned a senior Chinese envoy to protest against various aggressive actions by China Coast Guard vessels, including harassment, ramming, and the use of water cannons against Philippine boats near Scarborough Shoal.
The Philippines aims to garner international support for ensuring freedom of navigation in the strategically vital South China Sea, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to address maritime disputes.
Marcos emphasized that Manila’s strategy involves diplomatic engagement to expose China’s behavior in the region and rally international condemnation, rather than escalating tensions through military means.
By rejecting offensive responses and advocating for diplomatic solutions, the Philippines aims to uphold its sovereignty and promote peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.
